John Hinds

John Hinds (26 July 1862 – 23 July 1928) was a Welsh businessman and politician. At the December 1910 general election Hinds was chosen as the Liberal candidate for the seat of West Carmarthenshire, holding the seat until its abolition in 1918. He was apprenticed as a draper to his uncle who had a business in Carmarthen Town. Shortly afterwards he was briefly mentioned as a possible candidate for East Glamorgan.

Later that year, John Lloyd Morgan, the Liberal MP for West Carmarthenshire was made a judge and stood down as candidate for the second General Election of 1910. Hinds now sought the nomination for the constituency. Five other candidates contested the nomination, including Sir Owen Philipps, who was standing down as member for Pembroke Boroughs, and Sir Courtenay Mansel. It was initially suggested that the contest of the nomination would primarily be between Hinds and Philipps. Henry Jones-Davies, who was both a prominent member of Carmarthenshire County Council and brother-in-law of the late Liberal politician, Tom Ellis led at each stage of the voting at a selection conference held at Water Street Chapel, Carmarthen. However, at the final ballot, Hinds won by 188 votes against 186.

At the election that followed, Hinds was opposed by J.W. Jones Cremlyn, who had contested the previous election. It was initially suggested that the Rev Arthur Fuller Mills, chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council, would contest the seat as an independent but the rumour proved unfounded.

Once he had been selected as candidate, Hinds was virtually assured of election to Parliament, even though there were initial concerns that the Liberals would take the contest for granted. Although a vigorous campaign was conducted by his Conservative opponent, J.W Jones Cremlyn, the Liberals held an enthusiastic campaign. One of the most memorable meetings was held at Bethania Chapel in the rural village of Talog. Upon the approach of Hinds's motor car the historic horn apparently used at the time of the Rebecca Riots was sounded and a torchlight procession formed.

Parliamentary career In 1917 he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Carmarthenshire, a post he held until his death. However, Hinds held on to win in a four-cornered contest.

In the following year he changed his allegiance, however, to the other Liberal faction led by H. H. Asquith. He retired at the next election in 1923. In his final year in parliament he was chairman of Welsh Liberal Parliamentary party.

Personal life He married Lizzie Powell in 1893, and the couple had one daughter.

Following his retirement from parliament he continued to be active in local politics, and was Mayor of Carmarthen in 1925–1926. In 1927 he gave a parcel of land to the town of Carmarthen as a recreation ground, now known as Parc Hinds. He was also active in many voluntary and charitable organisations including the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, National Eisteddfod Association, the London Welsh Literary Union and the London Welsh Charitable Aid Society. A Baptist by religion, he held the post of president of the Baptist Union of Wales and was a prominent freemason.

He died in a London nursing home following an operation in 1928, three days before his 66th birthday. He was buried in Carmarthen at a service which only men were allowed to attend.